Tuesday, April 3, 2012

After all the exertion of December, it's nice to relax into the pause that is January.

In a normal year, the air is crisp, the wind blows and we often wake up to frost or a light dusting of snow...

We don't always get a lot of snow...sometimes just enough to ice the morning. And you have to be an early bird to see its magic before the mid-day sun burns it away.

I walk every day, even when it's bitter cold.

Walking every day joins me to the natural world in which I live, making me aware of which animals hibernate and which animals are out and about, sharing the chill.

There aren't many of us out and about so I can't help but feel some camaraderie towards them.

And I have grown to love the trees.

It's the trees that are ever-present.

I love to see their structures revealed, as they all stand straight and proud like a well-trained army.

Have you ever noticed that there aren't many crooked trees?

And if you do happen to find a tree that has tried to grow crookedly, it's not long before all the other trees whip the wayward soldier back in line and he's growing straight again.

Look for yourself. You'll see what I mean.

You may spy a crooked tendency down toward the tree's base but by the time you look up to the top of the tree, it's grown straight again. Right in line with all the others.

Which makes me think it's a lesson for parenting...

And it's not just the trees that are laid bare but the entire landscape.

Living on the ridge of a valley, I am surrounded by hills.

And it grounds me to see the boulders, cliffs and rocks uncovered along with the roots of trees.

They are the workhorses preventing erosion and holding it all together.

It amazes me to think that those rocks have been around since pre-Cambrian times...about 4 billion years ago.

Let's face it. Compared to 4 billion years, my life isn't even a flash in that pan. Ultimately, when all's said and done, I'm just the tiniest bit of fodder for trees and plants. Ergo I serve the earth...ergo, its rocks and trees.

See how my thoughts wander in January?

Are they really wandering or is the earth trying to tell me something?

I think it's the earth...sending me messages that help put my life in perspective.

That help to ground and guide me.

Without a doubt, January is beautiful to me with its shades of rock-gray and decaying-browns.

And I have learned to love a palette bereft of saturated color.

In January, I feel more clearly the import and contribution of the aging and dying earth. It helps me to be more gentle with my own aging body.

And all that contemplation of who I am and where I am going...

Which choices I am making and what remains undone...

Sets me on a renewed course...and I am helped along by the whispers of Mother Earth...and by the conversations I have held with the rocks and the trees..with those winter animals...that are sharing my life.

I'm not sure I believe in resolutions and a magic start date of January 1.

But I do believe in the power of January.

A quiet, contemplative respite from the frenetic world we have come to live in.

Tarnished silvers and grays and crystal and sparkle and taupes.

Cells decaying and being remade into new life and new ideas. Resting and conserving...and hiding...and reflecting...

Ditto all the above comments! I don't know which is more beautiful, your block or your words/thoughts. You rblock and stitching is so incredibly beautiful Susan, and yuor words adn thoughts even moreso. I too am speechless. Mahhhhvelous dahling, simply mahhhvelous...

I really enjoy watching your projects progress and learning about your creative progress. But the end of a project, when everything is laid bare and your words explain all of the whys and wherefores, because everything is there for a reason. These are the posts that I drink in, reading and rereading and feasting my eyes on your beautiful embroidery.

Winter is my favorite time of year. I love the soft grays and browns. You captured the magic of the season perfectly. It's exquisite! I am so grateful that you share your work with us. I look forward to every post.

Susan, this is got to be my favorite piece. I think I like it more than breakfast at Tiffany's. I too have a special place for Tree's and reading your blog about them here is so true. We've recently experienced a cyclone and now a mini tornado, and the trees just seem to make their way upward again after the debris is cleared.

I love your January! All the hints of sparkle against the winter landscape, the freshly fallen snow that dusts the tree branches, and those rocks sticking out of the earth's crust. How appropriate that they are called bone, for they support the earth and all who trod upon it........Your January is beautiful in its subtleties, it's whispers of life, the scurry of the underbrush as feet crunch upon the white snow....a gentle, quieter month when we take a breath, rest and refresh......beautiful!

Susan your words used to describe your thoughts and feelings are as beautiful as this block of fabric, beads, ribbon, threads and pieces of our earth that you so amazingly weave into a story of time and existence. I am so in awe of your incredible special talents. I will say again...your pieces of hand stitched art really should be in the Smithsonian for all to marvel upon.

Dear Susan,Your depiction of January is utterly breathtaking! Btw, I picked up my embroidery needle and thread today and stitched during an entire day of presentations. i found it quite calming. I need to do more.Best wishes!

A metaphysical comparison of growing trees and raising children; images of the dying season that actually replenishes the earth and an aging body that finally realizes the importance of your place in the Universe.

January is but an awakening and a reminder to relax and re-charge, and didn't you enjoy the respite!xx, Carol

Wow! You almost make me love January. Whether I actually ever learn to love January or not, I do love this block. There's nothing not to like, not even my less-than-favorite color palette. It's so beautiful!

There are lots of wonderful words to describe your stitching, but if I have to choose one, it would be Elegant. I honestly don't think there is anyone else whose work I see, whose stitching is as elegant as yours. You set the standard. (And since this high standard does take time, is this going to be a 4-block or a 3-year quilt?)

Wow. I was going to say "stunning" but it just doesn't cover it. This is just incredible - such detail, such perfect stitches, such life in the piece. And a little bunny, most things in life benefit from a bunny!

Just finding you for the first time and just awe struck at your work!! The details, the magic you capture, the thoughts you wrote to accompany it. Just beautiful. I'm following now and look forward to looking at your previous posts!

I always find myself re~reading your posts and looking at the pictures over and over. Your thoughts and ideas are so intertwined with your work and this particular piece is one of my favorites! Oh, who am I kidding ~ I feel that way every time you finish a piece! ;)

I echo all previous comments especially Susie W's words "peace" and "renewal". I think that is what people making resolutions are seeking. Christie's use of "magic" also holds true for me - fairy tales, parables, hobbits and "Watership Down".Your use of colour evokes early winter, before the harsh reality of mud, trash and potholed streets.I would appreciate a technique transfer from your mind and hands to mine. Oh, I forgot, that is not yet possible. How about just the owl then?

Your work is absolutely amazing. As a novice, creating my first crazy quilt, I find myself truly inspired by your work. Thanks so much for walking us through your methods. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations!

Susan, this is my first experience on your blog and viewing your SPECTACULAR work. Thank you so much for such beauty! I will be following you and your work regularly now...your style and thoughts speek to me...

OMG this site is pure heaven, yourwork is truly desert for me. I have just started Crazy Quilting and can see that I have along way to go but also how beautiful it is and your story to create them. Just can't say enough. Thanks for sharing your breath taking creations. xoxo Annette